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Hatton Garden heist: how swan song of old-school working-class criminal came together Hatton Garden heist: how the swan song of an old-school working-class criminal came together
(about 1 hour later)
In the Kent countryside 31 years ago, two criminals stood over a man slumped on the ground as he took his last breaths.In the Kent countryside 31 years ago, two criminals stood over a man slumped on the ground as he took his last breaths.
Over the incessant barking of dogs, shouts could be heard across the chilly January night. One, carrying a shotgun, shouted: “Right, we’ll blow your fucking head off!” He was Kenneth Noye.Over the incessant barking of dogs, shouts could be heard across the chilly January night. One, carrying a shotgun, shouted: “Right, we’ll blow your fucking head off!” He was Kenneth Noye.
Related: Three guilty of Hatton Garden heist as Kenneth Noye link revealedRelated: Three guilty of Hatton Garden heist as Kenneth Noye link revealed
The other, Brian Reader, aimed a kick at the man: John Fordham, a specialist police surveillance officer, who had been stabbed five times in the front, five times in the back, with such force that a knife was plunged into his body up to its hilt. The other, Brian Reader, aimed a kick at the man: John Fordham, a specialist police surveillance officer, who had been stabbed five times in the front and five times in the back, with such force that a knife was plunged into his body up to its hilt.
Experts would tell a later trial that Fordham had been held down for some of those stab wounds, inflicted by Noye – then a king in the criminal underworld –that night in 1985. His trusted partner was Reader. Experts would later tell a trial that Fordham had been held down for some of those stab wounds, inflicted by Noye – then a king in the criminal underworld –that night in 1985. His trusted partner was Reader.
Fordham was part of the Scotland Yard team keeping watch on Noye as part of the investigation into the Brink’s-Mat heist of 1983, when £26m in gold and bullion had been stolen from a warehouse near London’s Heathrow airport.Fordham was part of the Scotland Yard team keeping watch on Noye as part of the investigation into the Brink’s-Mat heist of 1983, when £26m in gold and bullion had been stolen from a warehouse near London’s Heathrow airport.
Reader was Noye’s right hand man in the plot to launder the Brink’s-Mat haul. “Reader was trusted by Noye,” Brian Boyce, the senior detective who led the Scotland Yard investigation into Brink’s-Mat told the Guardian. Reader was Noye’s right hand man in the plot to launder the Brink’s-Mat haul. “Reader was trusted by Noye,” Brian Boyce, the senior detective who led the Scotland Yard investigation into Brink’s-Mat, told the Guardian.
Both men stood trial for murder but were cleared, with Noye claiming he acted in self-defence, fearing an attack from Fordham. Noye was later jailed for another violent attack after stabbing 21-year-old Stephen Cameron to death in a road rage incident. But both Reader and Noye were convicted over the gold, and Reader was jailed for nine years in 1986. Both men stood trial for murder but were cleared, with Noye claiming he had acted in self-defence, fearing an attack from Fordham. Noye was later jailed for another violent attack after stabbing 21-year-old Stephen Cameron to death in a road rage incident. But both Reader and Noye were convicted over the gold, and Reader was jailed for nine years in 1986.
Reader’s experience of working with some of the top criminals of the post-war era helped him to attempt the biggest burglary in English history at Hatton Garden. Reader’s experience of working with some of the top criminals of the postwar era helped him to attempt the biggest burglary in English history at Hatton Garden. From Noye, Reader learned the value of having deep knowledge of who in the criminal world had certain skills. He also moved in the same circles as Tommy Adams, a leader of one of the most feared crime families in British criminal history.
From Noye, Reader learned the value of having deep knowledge of who in the criminal world had certain skills. He also moved in the same circles as Tommy Adams, a leader of one of the most feared crime families in British criminal history. “He was close to the Adamses,” recalls Boyce, saying Reader was also unique in being close to major criminals in firms from different parts of London.
“He was close to the Adamses,” recalls Boyce, saying Reader was also unique in being close to top criminals in firms from different parts of London. By 2015, Reader was a 76-year-old pensioner, using his free bus pass to travel to his old stomping ground, Hatton Garden, home to London’s diamond district. “Most of the Brink’s-Mat gold went through the Hatton Garden area,” Boyce said. The world had moved on, and Reader was struggling to keep up.
By 2015, Reader was 76, trundling on the number 55 bus with a pensioner’s free bus pass his old stomping ground, Hatton Garden, home to London’s diamond district. But the world had moved on, and Reader would struggle to keep up. But on Thursday 2 April 2015, the start of the long Easter weekend, he took a train from his home in Dartford, Kent, to London to join his handpicked gang of pensioners, who were to break into the vault and carry out his long nurtured plan.
“Most of the Brink’s-Mat gold went through the Hatton Garden area,” Boyce said. In his crew was Terry Perkins, 67, “an extraordinary character”, say friends. He had served 22 years for his role in the 1983 Security Express robbery, which saw £6m stolen – also over a long Easter weekend.
On Friday 2 April 2015, the start of the long Easter weekend, Reader took a train from his Dartford, Kent, home into London. It was the night his handpicked gang of pensioners were to break into the vault and carry out his long nurtured plan.
In his crew were Terry Perkins, 67, “an extraordinary character”, say friends. He had served 22 years for his role in the 1983 Security Express robbery, which saw £6m stolen – also over a long Easter weekend.
The gang also included veteran criminal John Collins, 74, and burglar Danny Jones, 58, described by friends as a gentle man who liked a laugh and a joke, who had burglary convictions going back to 1975. One friend said he was “eccentric to the extreme” and “bit of a Walter Mitty”, obsessed by palm-reading and known to sleep in his mum’s dressing gown and a fez.The gang also included veteran criminal John Collins, 74, and burglar Danny Jones, 58, described by friends as a gentle man who liked a laugh and a joke, who had burglary convictions going back to 1975. One friend said he was “eccentric to the extreme” and “bit of a Walter Mitty”, obsessed by palm-reading and known to sleep in his mum’s dressing gown and a fez.
“It was to be one last payday … their pension,” Peter Spindler, Scotland Yard’s head of crime at the time of the burglary, told the Guardian. “It was to be one last payday … their pension,” Peter Spindler, Scotland Yard’s head of specialist crime investigations at the time of the burglary, told the Guardian.
Another senior former detective said Reader, Perkins and Collins had worked together in the past: “They don’t work with strangers, they only work with people they don’t know. Their biggest fear is a grass.” Another senior former detective said Reader, Perkins and Collins had worked together in the past: “They don’t work with strangers … Their biggest fear is a grass.”
By mid-February the men were looking at the Hatton Garden area. They finalised the plot in the months leading up to February 2015, often on a Friday night at the Castle pub in Islington, north London. The men had begun looking at the Hatton Garden area in mid-February. They finalised the plot in the weeks leading up to the raid, often on a Friday night at the Castle pub in Islington, north London.
There was no inside man, police believe. The gang waltzed into the building, which contained many different businesses. In its basement were the safety deposit boxes protected in a vault behind iron gates and thick concrete wall. There was no inside man, police believe: the gang simply waltzed into the building, which housed many different businesses. In its basement were the safety deposit boxes protected in a vault behind iron gates and thick concrete wall. By 12 March, Collins had been to Hatton Garden at least five times. It is believed the men may have posed as customers wanting a safety deposit box in the vault.
By 12 March, Collins had been to Hatton Garden at least five times. It is believed the men may have posed as customers wanting a safety deposit box in the vault. By 31 March, the gang were so brazen they were not just wandering in and out of the eight-storey building, but playing with the lift. Perkins was spotted in a small elevator in the building, wearing blue overalls and surrounded by tools and building equipment, and smiling at a woman he came across.
By 31 March, the gang were so brazen they were not just wandering in and out of the eight-storey building that housed the vault, but playing with the lift. After hours of planning and talking – in cars, at each other’s houses, at the Castle pub and at a famous old-school Italian cafe called Scotti’s – they were ready.
Perkins was spotted in a small lift in the building, wearing blue overalls and surrounded by tools and building equipment, and smiled at a woman he came across. On 2 April, at 8.25pm, Collins parked a white van outside the building, at 88-90 Hatton Garden.
After hours of planning and talking – in cars, at each other’s houses, at the Castle pub and at a legendary old school Italian cafe called Scotti’s – they were ready. A man with a wig of red hair, known only as Basil, opened the door of the building, having gained codes for the doors and a key for a mortise lock on the front door. He has never been caught.
On 2 April, at 8.25pm, Collins parked a white van outside the target at 88-90 Hatton Garden. Basil was brought in for technical expertise, police believe. He was probably involved in several roles, including neutralising the alarm and handling the electrics.
A man with a wig of red hair, known only as Basil, opened the door of the building, having gained codes for doors and a key for a mortise lock on the front door. He has never been caught. Having got into the building, Basil waited until a man in a neighbouring business had left, then, with a black binbag slung over his shoulder, opened a fire escape door to the building.
Basil was brought in for technical expertise, police believe. Basil was most likely involved in several roles, including neutralising the alarm and handling the electrics.
Having got into the building, Basil waited until a man in a neighbouring business had left, then with a black bin bag slung over his shoulder, opened a fire escape door to the building.
The rest of the gang entered, with the tools for the job, posing as workmen. These men were Brian Reader, Terry Perkins, Daniel Jones and another co-conspirator, Carl Wood, who pleaded not guilty but was convicted on Thursday.The rest of the gang entered, with the tools for the job, posing as workmen. These men were Brian Reader, Terry Perkins, Daniel Jones and another co-conspirator, Carl Wood, who pleaded not guilty but was convicted on Thursday.
They unloaded bags, tools and two wheelie bins, which they carried (or wheeled) in through the fire escape and large metal joists. They unloaded bags, tools and two wheelie bins, which they carried (or wheeled) in through the fire escape, and large metal joists.
But Reader perhaps had a sense this would be his last performance and dressed up – his stripy socks and scarf were so distinctive they stood out on CCTV and helped establish his guilt. Reader perhaps had a sense this would be his last performance and dressed up – his stripy socks and scarf were so distinctive they stood out on CCTV and helped establish his guilt.
He also wore a yellow hard hat and a hi-visibility jacket with “GAS” written on the back.He also wore a yellow hard hat and a hi-visibility jacket with “GAS” written on the back.
Perkins was dressed in a hi-vis tabard, a yellow hard hat and a white surgeon-style mask.Perkins was dressed in a hi-vis tabard, a yellow hard hat and a white surgeon-style mask.
Collins had keys for a building over the road and would act as lookout. The gang communicated via walkie-talkie and never once used their mobile phones, knowing that could later help place them at the scene. Collins had keys for a building over the road and acted as lookout. The gang communicated via walkie-talkie and never once used their mobile phones, knowing that might later help place them at the scene.
Then one of the gang went to the lift on the second floor, still some way from the basement vault. Police believe this was most likely Basil. “He was probably first to clamber down the lift shaft, he’s younger and fitter than the others,” said one source. Then one of the gang went to the lift on the second floor, still some way from the basement vault. Police believe this was most likely Basil. “He was probably first to clamber down the lift shaft: he’s younger and fitter than the others,” said one source.
The lift was deliberately jammed on the second floor, leaving a small drop down to the basement, where the vault was. Basil disabled the alarm only partially, but enough so that he could cut the power to iron gates safeguarding the lobby to the entrance of the vault. These could now be pulled open, and machinery brought through by the gang.The lift was deliberately jammed on the second floor, leaving a small drop down to the basement, where the vault was. Basil disabled the alarm only partially, but enough so that he could cut the power to iron gates safeguarding the lobby to the entrance of the vault. These could now be pulled open, and machinery brought through by the gang.
The alarm managed to send a warning signal. Police were informed but did not respond.The alarm managed to send a warning signal. Police were informed but did not respond.
The gang now had run of the building and all its eight floors.The gang now had run of the building and all its eight floors.
The gang cut through a second iron gate and now faced a thick reinforced concrete wall. Using a diamond-tipped Hilti DD350 drill they had researched on the internet, they tore into the concrete, plumes of dust and debris billowed into the air. The gang cut through a second iron gate and now faced a thick reinforced concrete wall. Using a diamond-tipped Hilti DD350 drill they had researched on the internet, they tore into the concrete: plumes of dust and debris billowed into the air.
A hole – just 50cm deep, 25cm high and 45cm wide – was cut 89cm off the ground. Police believe that the two who managed to crawl through the tiny hole were Basil and Jones.A hole – just 50cm deep, 25cm high and 45cm wide – was cut 89cm off the ground. Police believe that the two who managed to crawl through the tiny hole were Basil and Jones.
Having smashed their way through the concrete, they met the backs of the heavy metal cabinets, which housed the safe deposit boxes. Having smashed their way through the concrete, they encountered the backs of the heavy metal cabinets that housed the safe deposit boxes.
The cabinets were screwed both to the floor and ceiling. The jack they had used to prise open the lift doors included a 10-ton hydraulic ram, which was then meant to punch the deposit boxes over. But it did not work. The cabinets were screwed both to the floor and ceiling. The jack they had used to prise open the lift doors included a 10-ton hydraulic ram, which was then intended to push the deposit boxes over. But it did not work.
“They only meant to be in for one night, but the jack breaks … Their plans fell apart,” said Spindler.“They only meant to be in for one night, but the jack breaks … Their plans fell apart,” said Spindler.
Reader got upset and walked out, never to come back. The gang gave up for the night. Just after 8am, with the sun now up, they left, defeated – for now.Reader got upset and walked out, never to come back. The gang gave up for the night. Just after 8am, with the sun now up, they left, defeated – for now.
It was decided that Jones would be sent to buy a new pump and hose for the jack, but he used his real surname and the name of the road he lived on. It was decided that Jones would be sent to buy a new pump and hose for the jack; but in doing so he used his real surname and the name of the road he lived on. On 4 April, Jones was driven by Collins in his white Mercedes to Twickenham, south-west London. A store called Machine Mart sold a Clarke pump and hose to a man who gave his details as “V Jones” of Park Avenue, Enfield, Middlesex. Jones lives at 115 Park Avenue, “V” is the initial of his partner’s first name.
On 4 April, Jones was driven by Collins in his white Mercedes to Twickenham, south-west London. A store called Machine Mart sold a Clarke pump and hose to a man who gave his details as “V Jones” of Park Avenue, Enfield, Middlesex. Jones lives at 115 Park Avenue, “V” is the initial of his partner’s first name.
At about 10.04pm, Jones, Perkins, Wood, Collins and Basil came back in a white van. For some reason, Wood decided to quit.At about 10.04pm, Jones, Perkins, Wood, Collins and Basil came back in a white van. For some reason, Wood decided to quit.
Armed with the new equipment, later that night the gang broke back in, but before doing so they made a fatal mistake. Half an hour earlier, Collins drove from his nearby Islington home to recce the Hatton Garden area again using his own white Mercedes, which meant police were able to trace his number plate, then his car and address. Armed with the new equipment, later that night the gang broke back in, but before doing so they made a fatal mistake. Half an hour earlier, Collins drove from his nearby Islington home to recce the Hatton Garden area again using his own white Mercedes, which meant police were able to trace his number plate.
That second night the gang used the jack as a ram to smash the metal cabinets over. Finally they were in.That second night the gang used the jack as a ram to smash the metal cabinets over. Finally they were in.
Later, police covertly recorded two of the gang discussing the moment they smashed through the vault wall.Later, police covertly recorded two of the gang discussing the moment they smashed through the vault wall.
Perkins: “Once I heard the first crack, I thought …”Perkins: “Once I heard the first crack, I thought …”
Jones: “It was hissing, that pump – BANG – didn’t it? That all I could hear – BANG – and I thought, for fuck’s sake, I had a headache, Tel. Jones: “It was hissing, that pump – BANG – didn’t it? That all I could hear – BANG – and I thought, for fuck’s sake, I had a headache, Tel.”
One of the men then clambered through the tiny hole to jemmy open 73 of the 550 safe deposit boxes, which they ransacked.One of the men then clambered through the tiny hole to jemmy open 73 of the 550 safe deposit boxes, which they ransacked.
The crown claimed they amassed a £14m haul including jewellery, precious stones, gold bullion, cash, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, wristwatches by luxury brands such as Rolex, and rings. The Crown claimed they amassed a £14m haul including jewellery, precious stones, gold bullion, cash, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, wristwatches by luxury brands such as Rolex, and rings.
They needed wheelie bins to stash the loot and took one hour to move their haul and equipment out. By 6.44am on Monday 4 April, they had left the scene. They needed wheelie bins to stash the loot and took an hour to move their haul and equipment out. By 6.44am on Monday 4 April, they had left the scene.
It was not until 8am the next day that the burglary was noticed by staff returning after the long holiday weekend.It was not until 8am the next day that the burglary was noticed by staff returning after the long holiday weekend.
Police were confronted by a scene of dust, debris and scattered safety deposit boxes. Power tools, including an angle grinder, the Hilti drill and crowbars, were abandoned on the floor, having been wiped clean of any incriminating evidence.Police were confronted by a scene of dust, debris and scattered safety deposit boxes. Power tools, including an angle grinder, the Hilti drill and crowbars, were abandoned on the floor, having been wiped clean of any incriminating evidence.
They were forensically aware, courtesy of their criminal experience and refreshed by a book called Forensics for Dummies, which was recovered from one of their homes by police. For example, when nature called, it was thought they used toilets on other floors, away from the vault, during their two nights in and around the vault. There was no direct physical evidence that any of the guilty men were ever in the vault.They were forensically aware, courtesy of their criminal experience and refreshed by a book called Forensics for Dummies, which was recovered from one of their homes by police. For example, when nature called, it was thought they used toilets on other floors, away from the vault, during their two nights in and around the vault. There was no direct physical evidence that any of the guilty men were ever in the vault.
Solving the burglary was the job of Scotland Yard’s flying squad and pressure ratcheted up on the force after it was revealed that police had ignored the security alarm. Solving the burglary was the job of Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad and pressure ratcheted up on the force after it was revealed that police had ignored the security alarm.
“That was an embarrassment for the Met,” said former commander Spindler, who was put in charge of overseeing the Met’s response to the audacious heist that caught the public’s imagination. “That was an embarrassment for the Met,” said former commander Spindler, who was put in charge of overseeing the Met’s response to the audacious heist, which caught the public’s imagination.
Detectives combed through CCTV from neighbouring buildings, and then fanned out to get more and more, to capture the wider area. Detectives combed through CCTV from neighbouring buildings, and then fanned out to get more and more, capturing the wider area.
They spotted Collins’ Mercedes, with its disabled badge, outside the building half an hour before the white van returned on the second night. His criminal record went back to 1961. They spotted Collins’s Mercedes, with its disabled badge, outside the building half an hour before the white van returned on the second night – a car whose owner’s criminal record went back to 1961.
They decided to put an audio probe in his car, and watch him to see who his associates were. This helped lead to the rest of the gang. They then placed a bug in Perkins’ Citroen Saxo. They decided to put an audio probe in his car, and watch him to see who his associates were. This helped lead to the rest of the gang. They then placed a bug in Perkins’s Citroen Saxo.
The biggest challenge with any large haul of loot is how to dispose of it and turn valuables into cash. Philip Evans, the prosecutor, said: “They could split it up, melt it down, sell it or hide for a rainy day. Ultimately, however, their plan was to convert their criminal property into money.”The biggest challenge with any large haul of loot is how to dispose of it and turn valuables into cash. Philip Evans, the prosecutor, said: “They could split it up, melt it down, sell it or hide for a rainy day. Ultimately, however, their plan was to convert their criminal property into money.”
“They got rid of the bullion and cash quickly,” said an investigator, but did not know what to do with the rest. The stolen valuables were stored in two large wheelie bins and a holdall.“They got rid of the bullion and cash quickly,” said an investigator, but did not know what to do with the rest. The stolen valuables were stored in two large wheelie bins and a holdall.
They were getting increasingly confident. On 8 May they even returned to the scene of the crime, Hatton Garden. They were getting increasingly confident. On 8 May they even returned to the scene of the crime.
There, Collins and Reader met with a man a surveillance officer described as having “Elvis-style large gold-rimmed glasses”.There, Collins and Reader met with a man a surveillance officer described as having “Elvis-style large gold-rimmed glasses”.
Later that day, Collins, Perkins and Jones were observed meeting again at the Castle pub, moving on to the upmarket Bonnie Gull Seafood Bar in nearby Exmouth Market.Later that day, Collins, Perkins and Jones were observed meeting again at the Castle pub, moving on to the upmarket Bonnie Gull Seafood Bar in nearby Exmouth Market.
They were largely disciplined, did not show off their new found wealth and avoided changes in lifestyle that would attract suspicion. They planned to let the publicity die down. They were largely disciplined, did not show off their new-found wealth and avoided changes in lifestyle that would attract suspicion. They planned to let the publicity die down.
But a week later, on Friday 15 May, the bug in Perkins’ car caught his passenger, Jones, bragging: “The biggest cash robbery in history at the time and now the biggest tom [short for tomfoolery, slang for jewellery] in the fucking world, that’s what they are saying … And what a book you could write, fucking hell.” But a week later, on Friday 15 May, the bug in Perkins’s car caught his passenger, Jones, bragging: “The biggest cash robbery in history at the time and now the biggest tom [short for tomfoolery, slang for jewellery] in the fucking world, that’s what they are saying … And what a book you could write, fucking hell.”
That day Perkins also said stolen Indian gold could be his pension: “I’m going to melt my good gold down.” Later, Asian necklaces, bangles and pendants were recovered.That day Perkins also said stolen Indian gold could be his pension: “I’m going to melt my good gold down.” Later, Asian necklaces, bangles and pendants were recovered.
Spindler said the gang made errors and believed the hype surrounding the heist: “They probably thought they had got away with it, and became complacent or arrogant. They were caught on the probes talking about the biggest cash burglary in history.”Spindler said the gang made errors and believed the hype surrounding the heist: “They probably thought they had got away with it, and became complacent or arrogant. They were caught on the probes talking about the biggest cash burglary in history.”
On 19 May, it was decided the gang would gather all the loot at an address in Enfield at Sterling Road. Potentially this was for “the slaughter” – the divvying up of the loot.On 19 May, it was decided the gang would gather all the loot at an address in Enfield at Sterling Road. Potentially this was for “the slaughter” – the divvying up of the loot.
This was the point where police chiefs decided to pounce, with the suspects and their haul in one place. 200 officers staged raids and the gang were arrested.This was the point where police chiefs decided to pounce, with the suspects and their haul in one place. 200 officers staged raids and the gang were arrested.
Spindler said: “They were analogue criminals operating in a digital world. They lacked the knowledge to defeat digital detectives.”Spindler said: “They were analogue criminals operating in a digital world. They lacked the knowledge to defeat digital detectives.”
Police thought they had recovered most of the loot but then events changed their mind.Police thought they had recovered most of the loot but then events changed their mind.
Jones told police about a stash hidden where the ashes of his children’s grandfather had been “buried”, but not about a larger stash hidden in another memorial stone.Jones told police about a stash hidden where the ashes of his children’s grandfather had been “buried”, but not about a larger stash hidden in another memorial stone.
Now what Reader, Perkins, Collins and Jones fear, according to those close to them, is a series of potentially devastating court hearings to get the money back.Now what Reader, Perkins, Collins and Jones fear, according to those close to them, is a series of potentially devastating court hearings to get the money back.
They face a likely maximum of less than seven years for conspiracy to burgle. They chose not to use violence and did not take weapons, knowing that would attract a much higher sentence. A former detective said: “Do you get your biggest bird [time in jail] for breaking in or putting a gun into someone’s face?”They face a likely maximum of less than seven years for conspiracy to burgle. They chose not to use violence and did not take weapons, knowing that would attract a much higher sentence. A former detective said: “Do you get your biggest bird [time in jail] for breaking in or putting a gun into someone’s face?”
If Brink’s-Mat in 1983 was the start of modern British crime, with some of its millions funding large scale drug importations into the UK, Hatton Garden may be the last grand act of an old-school white working-class criminal. If Brink’s-Mat in 1983 was the start of modern British crime, with some of its millions funding large scale drug importations into the UK, Hatton Garden may be the last grand act of a kind of old-school, working-class criminal.
“It’s probably the last of its type,” said Spindler.“It’s probably the last of its type,” said Spindler.
Now big time crime is moving to the cyber world, offering large rewards with less risk of capture. Now big-time crime is moving to the cyber world, offering large rewards with less risk of capture.
Hatton Garden is a swan song for a certain type of crime and villain, partly sophisticated but undermined by small but crucial errors. Hatton Garden is the swan song for a certain type of crime and villain, partly sophisticated but undermined by small but crucial errors.
Spindler said: “They are men of their time, one of the reasons they have not been successful, a decade or two ago, there was not the ANPR [automatic number plate recognition] or CCTV coverage there is now, and they would have had a better chance of getting away with it.” Spindler said: “They are men of their time. One of the reasons they have not been successful, a decade or two ago, there was not the ANPR [automatic number plate recognition] or CCTV coverage there is now, and they would have had a better chance of getting away with it.”
For Reader, he put in place the lessons learned from Noye and Adams and assembled a gang that called him “the Master” and “the Guvnor”. Aged 76, he had left the anonymity of old age, and he was a someone again. For Reader, he put in place the lessons learned from Noye and Adams and assembled a gang that called him “the Master” and “the Guvnor”. Aged 76, he had left the anonymity of old age, and became a someone again.